Motor control systems, foldable partitions employing motor control systems, methods of monitoring the operation of electric motors and foldable partitions

Abstract

Motor control systems comprise a motor control circuit, a processing circuit operably coupled to the motor control circuit, and a current sensor operably coupled to the processing circuit. The current sensor may be configured to sense a current and to convey a signal to the processing circuitry proportional to the amount of current sensed. The processing circuitry may be configured to sample the signal to obtain a plurality of current values, to store the plurality of current values and to generate an operation profile from the plurality of current values. Folding partitions comprising motor control systems are also disclosed, as well as methods of monitoring the operation of an electric motor and of monitoring for an obstruction of a folding partition.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to motor control systems. In particular, various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to motor control systems for detecting current requirements of an electrical load and to foldable partitions employing such motor control systems.BACKGROUND[0002]Control circuits and systems for controlling an electrical load, such as an electric motor, and a movable device driven thereby are numerous and varied in their operation. Some such systems may control the operation of the electric motor and / or the movable device, others may provide over current protection for deactivating the motor based on excess current to the electric motor, while others may provide various combinations of features.[0003]One example of such a motor and movable device employing control circuits includes conventional automatic doors. Such doors are implemented in various configurations such as, for example, sliding doors, rotating panel d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]Various embodiments of the present disclosure comprise control systems, doors and related methods for controlling an electrical load, such as a motor, to detect anomalous operational activities. Such anomalous activities may include detecting an obstruction to the electrical load.

[0005]One or more embodiment of the disclosure includes motor control systems. In one or more embodiments, the motor control system may comprise a motor control circuit operably coupled to an electrical load. A processing circuit may be operably coupled to the motor control circuit and to a current sensor. The current sensor may be configured to sense a current delivered to the motor control circuit and to convey a signal to the processing circuitry proportional to the amount of current sensed. The processing circuitry may be configured to sample the signal to obtain a plurality of current values, to store the plurality of current values and to generate an operation profile from the plurality of current values.

[0006]Other embodiments comprise methods of monitoring the operation of an electric motor. One or more embodiments of such methods may comprise generating an operation profile comprising a plurality of current values corresponding to at least one of a time of operation and position of a movable device. A threshold profile may be generated from the operation profile, and at least one subsequent current value may be compared to the threshold profile. The at least one subsequent current value may correspond to at least one of the time of operation and the position of the movable device to the threshold profile.

[0007]In yet additional embodiments, the present disclosure includes folding partitions. In various embodiments, a folding partition may comprise a plurality of panels. Each panel of the plurality of panels may be hingedly coupled with an adjacent panel of the plurality. A lead post may be attached to at least one panel of the plurality of panels. A drive may comprise a transmission member coupled to the trolley and a motor configured to drive the transmission member. A motor control circuit may be operably coupled to the motor and a processing circuit may be operably coupled to the motor control circuit. A current sensor may be operably coupled to the processing circuitry and configured to sense a current delivered to the motor control circuit from a power source. The current sensor may convey a signal to the processing circuitry proportional to the amount of current sensed and the processing circuitry may be configured to sample the signal to obtain a plurality of current values and to generate an operation profile from the plurality of current values.

[0008]Still other embodiments comprise methods of monitoring for an obstruction of a folding partition. One or more embodiments of such methods may comprise obtaining a plurality of current values. Each current value may correspond to one of a plurality of positions of a folding partition. A threshold profile may be generated from the plurality of current values. At least one subsequent current value corresponding to a position of the folding partition may be obtained and the at least one subsequent current value may be compared to the threshold profile to determine if the at least one subsequent current value is greater than the threshold profile.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, positioning this switch in the lead post makes it difficult or impossible to functionally include other features in the lead post area.

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